Hazardous Materials & Illicit Dumping

Unfortunately, there are occasions involving accidents with hazardous materials, or intentional dumping of toxic wastes. Sometimes the incident may be as simple as someone dumping an unknown (or known) waste product into an inlet. All of these situations must be dealt with swiftly, and as citizens of Boca Raton, we must get involved to keep our area beautiful and prevent pollution of our waters.

What To Do

If you see something suspicious, or witness such an accident, there are simple steps to take and phone numbers are available.

The City of Boca Raton Fire Department has highly trained Hazmat personnel equipped to suit up, analyze substances, contain and clean up hazardous spills and releases.

Call 911 Immediately

If you witness such a spill or release, call 911 immediately and give an address and description of what happened. If you see someone pour an unknown substance down an inlet, or if you see or smell an unknown substance in an inlet, call the Fire Department immediately (911) and give the dispatcher a description of the scene and an address. The Fire Department will determine further steps needed for containment and clean up.

Never try to get samples of the substance yourself. Leave that task to the professionals!

When To Call Stormwater Management

If you see someone pouring a substance into an inlet, and you know what the substance is, such as dirt, debris, concrete, motor oil or paint, call the Stormwater Management Office at 561-416-3402 immediately and give a detailed description of the scene with the closest address to the inlet.

Print and place the following table near your phone or tape it onto your refrigerator:

Illicit Dumping Reporting Action Steps

Scene

Description

Call

Hazardous spill or release

Spill or intentional release of unknown substance

911

Unknown substance in inlet

Someone pouring unknown substance into inlet, or unknown substance found in inlet

911

Known substance in inlet

Known substances such as oil, paint, concrete, trash, household products found in inlet

561-416-3402

Whether a hazardous spill or an illicit dumping is an accident or intentional, it is the responsibility of all of us to respond swiftly to protect the waterways that surround our city. All we need to do is pick up the phone or send a quick email!